Sharing the Bread of Life

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, exhort us to share fullness of life with our community through our Communion with the Bread of Life.

Recalling Corpus Christi 2015

The Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy recalls God’s Care.

* [8:3] Not by bread alone: Deuteronomic theology puts the good things promised faithful Israel into the context of the Lord’s gratuitous love. As in 6:10–12, the goods of life must be seen as gift. Israel is to seek what really matters; all else will be added (cf. Mt 6:33).

* [8:15] Saraph: see note on Nm 21:6. (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water.

* [147:15–19] God speaks through the thunder of nature and the word of revealed law, cf. Is 55:10–11. The weather phenomena are well known in Jerusalem: a blizzard of snow and hail followed by a thunderstorm that melts the ice. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims sacrifices establish communion.

 

* [10:14–22] The warning against idolatry from 1 Cor 10:7 is now repeated (1 Cor 10:14) and explained in terms of the effect of sacrifices: all sacrifices, Christian (1 Cor 10:16–17), Jewish (1 Cor 10:18), or pagan (1 Cor 10:20), establish communion. But communion with Christ is exclusive, incompatible with any other such communion (1 Cor 10:21). Compare the line of reasoning at 1 Cor 6:15. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, in the Bread of Life Discourse, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore.

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51.

* [6:54–58] Eats: the verb used in these verses is not the classical Greek verb used of human eating, but that of animal eating: “munch,” “gnaw.” This may be part of John’s emphasis on the reality of the flesh and blood of Jesus (cf. Jn 6:55), but the same verb eventually became the ordinary verb in Greek meaning “eat.” (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Susan Naatz shares a sacred, communal moment inviting pre-teens, preparing for First Eucharist, to begin to understand why Jesus chose bread as they prepared to someday receive him, the bread of life, in the Eucharist.

My siblings and young students experienced the connective aspect of breaking bread together. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians today beautifully defines its role in the Eucharist: The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

The next time you share bread in any form with another, reflect on the symbol and the communal moment. May we always remember that Jesus chose that form of loving connection to come to us each time we participate in the Eucharist so that we too, as members of the Body of Christ, will become life-giving bread for others. (Naatz, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Let faith confirm you,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-386 A.D.

"Failing to understand his words spiritually, [the Jews] were offended and drew back, thinking that the Savior was urging them to cannibalism. Then again in the old covenant there was the showbread. But that, since it belonged to the old covenant, has come to an end. In the new covenant there are the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation, which sanctify body and soul. For as bread corresponds to the body, so the Word is appropriate to the soul. So do not think of them as mere bread and wine. In accordance with the Lord's declaration, they are body and blood. And if our senses suggests otherwise, let faith confirm you. Do not judge the issue on the basis of taste, but on the basis of faith be assured beyond all doubt that you have been allowed to receive the body and blood of Christ. (excerpt from MYSTAGOGICAL LECTURES 4.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:51-58 comments that Jesus is proclaiming that he himself is “the living bread that came down from heaven” and that he will give them his own “flesh for the life of the world” (6:51). Two thousand years later, we encounter this same Jesus at every Eucharist. What a glorious gift! He offered his Body and Blood on the cross to save us, and now he gives us that same Body and Blood on the altar.

At Mass today, as the priest lifts up the Host, fix your eyes and heart on Jesus. As you pray, “Lord, I am not worthy,” trust in the mercy of your crucified Savior. As you come forward to receive Jesus, proclaim your faith in his true, Real Presence in what was once only bread and wine. And as you kneel in grateful prayer, praise and thank him for giving his life to you and offering himself for the whole world.

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are truly present in the Eucharist. I adore you and I give my life to you." (Meditation on John 6:51-58, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Deuteronomy, Moses is renewing the Covenant through a remembrance of past manna in the desert.  The Hebrew word translates as “What is it”. The manna, water for thirst and the protection against danger reveal the care of God for the deepest hunger is nourished in the desert. The participation in the Body and Blood of Christ as expressed by Paul affirms his understanding of being in contact with the very person of Jesus. The Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John moves from beginning as Wisdom of Incarnate and that beginning at verse 51, His “sarx” for the life of the world, a phrase for our physical body. In the Prologue of John’s Gospel, the Word became Flesh, the physical presence of Jesus. The celebrant at the altar, like John, declares not softening “drink His blood”. We are truly participating in Jesus becoming one with us. In marriage, in John, two flesh become One. We are marrying our God and we affirm being raised on the last day, a future eschatology. In the Eucharist, the Presence of Jesus is a promise of truly more Presence in Heaven. Friar Jude comments on the apparent disconnect of some fundamentalist literal interpretation of the Word  cannot see the true flesh and blood in this passage.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how understanding the Trinity, as relationship, encourages us to live in greater communion with God and life. Can we all be converted, not to Jesus (as strange as that must sound) but to the Trinity, where Jesus Christ actually exists? Only inside the mystery of the Trinity can we begin to understand what Jesus is saying, the mystery he is inviting us into, and the meaning of salvation.

The wonderful thing about living in our time is how many scientists, such as physicists and astronomers, are confirming that this interconnected nature of reality is true. Looking through microscopes or telescopes, they see this same pattern of utter relationship. They are discovering that if reality is anything, it’s absolutely relational. It’s something we used to know, something our ancestors knew on an intuitive, spiritual level. But since the Enlightenment, at least in the West, many people basically dismissed the possibility of interconnection or interbeing. We’ve primarily produced individualists who try to save themselves by believing things intellectually. This view of religion is not a mystery of participation. It’s not a mystery of surrendering; no surrender is even necessary. Instead, it’s a quest to get the right information, which only makes us more proud and self-centered. It makes community less possible, which is clearly evident from our politics and our international relations. Everyone is put back upon themselves, where the only question Christians seem to ask is “How can I get to heaven?” That’s not even a gospel question! It’s a question of the ego. It’s not the question of the Trinity within us. (Rohr, n.d.)

We humbly and hopefully implore the Spirit of the Trinity to inspire our life in a community of love as disciples of Christ and children of the Father.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/8?2 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?51 

Meditation on John 6:51-58. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/07/1587025/ 

Naatz, S. (2026, June 7). Daily Reflection June 7, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-7-2026 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10?16 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Pattern of Relationship. CAC.org. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-pattern-of-relationship/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Conversion and Communion

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the events in our lives that resonate with the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus.

On the Road to Conversion

 The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Saul’s Conversion, his Baptism and Saul Preaching in Damascus.

* [9:1–19] This is the first of three accounts of Paul’s conversion (with Acts 22:3–16 and Acts 26:2–18) with some differences of detail owing to Luke’s use of different sources. Paul’s experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1 Cor 15:8. The words of Jesus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. Under the influence of this experience he gradually developed his understanding of justification by faith (see the letters to the Galatians and Romans) and of the identification of the Christian community with Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor 12:27). That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. The emphasis in the account is on Paul as a divinely chosen instrument (Acts 9:15).

* [9:2] The Way: a name used by the early Christian community for itself (Acts 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life.

* [9:8] He could see nothing: a temporary blindness (Acts 9:18) symbolizing the religious blindness of Saul as persecutor (cf. Acts 26:18).

* [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, “your saints.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 117 calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy.

* [Psalm 117] This shortest of hymns calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy. The supremacy of Israel’s God has been demonstrated to them by the people’s secure existence, which is owed entirely to God’s gracious fidelity. (Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John continues The Bread of Life Discourse.

* [6:54–58] Eats: the verb used in these verses is not the classical Greek verb used of human eating, but that of animal eating: “munch,” “gnaw.” This may be part of John’s emphasis on the reality of the flesh and blood of Jesus (cf. Jn 6:55), but the same verb eventually became the ordinary verb in Greek meaning “eat.” (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley is challenged to really examine who she is and how that is lived and conveyed to others.

I am of the vintage that I remember well the change in Church music following Vatican II.  The music of the “folk masses” filled my heart.  One of the earliest songs that I remember from this is They’ll know We are Christians by our Love and the lyric that we are one in the Spirit. So many of the songs in that era (many from the beloved St Louis Jesuits) proclaimed our beliefs in a way that demanded/encouraged actions consistent with our professions of faith.  Are my eyes blinded and not seeing what I need to. The question remains for me, will they know I am a Christian??? 

So…  two songs today (songs are my way to share my faith with you).

Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord  (Michael W. Smith)

Whenever I hear the song below, I think of St John the Baptist and all the early disciples, and how they reached out to the world and continued the story that Jesus began… 

Nobody by Casting Crowns (Shirley, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes Abiding in Christ, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

" Jesus recommended to us His Body and Blood in bread and wine, elements that are reduced into one out of many constituents. What is meant by eating that food and taking that drink is this: to remain in Christ and have Him remaining in us." (excerpt from Sermon on John 26,112) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 9:1-20 invites us to imagine how different the Church might have turned out if Ananias had turned away! The Lord would, no doubt, have fulfilled his plan for the growth of the Church. But Ananias would not have had the role God offered him in these great events.

The next time you think the Lord is moving you in an unexpected direction, follow Ananias’ lead and ask for more understanding. Or better yet, take a small step forward and see what happens. You never know; your yes might bear fruit far beyond what you can imagine!

“Jesus, give me the courage to follow your lead!” (Meditation on Acts 9:1-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts, the first of three accounts of the conversion of Paul with some small differences, the voice of Jesus is heard. Saul is going to Damascus even if the High Priest had no authority in that region. This seems to be an illegal act. Luke is offering a comparison of good people with law breakers. Saul and Paul are the same person. Saul is Hebrew-Aramaic version of his name. Why me? The Christians and Jesus suffer persecution. Paul uses kyrios as Lord, the right Greek word without realizing it. Saul, who is blinded, is to go to Ananias, who does, in fact, get over fear to encounter Saul. The cataract removed from Saul’s eyes is like that removed due to electrocution. Was this struck down event a nervous breakdown? Not likely, there is no sign of reticence or depression in Paul. In the Gospel of John, the Bread of Life Discourse, the Jewish people are traditionally troubled by eating flesh and even more today by hearing you have to drink His blood, very difficult in Jewish religious tradition. Friar Jude notes that, in John’s Gospel, we find realized eschatology in our encounter with Christ. In proclaiming about the Bread of Life, John refers to being saved on the last day and facing both present and future salvation in the Eucharist.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Anglican priest Ragan Sutterfield, an avid bird watcher, who reflects on what it means to practice hospitality to nature in its many forms. Sutterfield suggests ways we can disrupt the commodification of nature and act hospitably. 

To plant a garden, to create a wetland—these seem like small acts in the face of our world of concrete, our obsession with never-ending economic growth. What difference can it make? I think of G. K. Chesterton’s comment, in his wonderful economic critique, The Outline of Sanity, which takes aim at industrial capitalism’s takeover of small shops and farms:

Do anything, however small, that will prevent the completion of the work of capitalist combination. Do anything that will even delay that completion. Save one shop out of a hundred shops…. Keep open one door out of a hundred doors; for so long as one door is open, we are not in prison. Ahab has not his kingdom so long as Naboth has his vineyard [1 Kings 21]. Haman will not be happy in the palace while Mordecai is sitting in the gate [Esther 5:9–13]…. [2]

Hospitality is more than resistance, however; it is also a sacramental practice—a way by which we learn to recognize the holy in the wild lives around us. “There are no unsacred places,” writes Wendell Berry, “there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” The practice of reconciliation ecology is an act in which we relate to the world in its sacredness, keeping ourselves from seeing it as a mere landscape or an interchangeable abstraction for our desires. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to touch our heart and mind as we participate in sacramental practice and experience the Presence of Christ guiding our mission on the road of life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?1 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?52 

Meditation on Acts 9:1-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/24/1549333/ 

Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hospitality on Our Earth Home. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hospitality-on-our-earth-home/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shirley, N. (2026, April 24). Daily Reflection April 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-24-2026